Traditional Bachelor's Program

Build the Foundation for Your Future

Open the door to a world of possibilities. As an undergraduate student at DU, you'll get a multidisciplinary education that's rooted in a clear commitment to taking on the great issues of our time.

Enriched by distinctive learning experiences that extend from the classroom to the field, laboratory, community and professional world, your time here will be informed by diverse perspectives that deepen your understanding of the global culture. In the end, you'll be uniquely prepared to confront the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Innovative Degree Programs

Select from more than 60 undergraduate majors, including both traditional and progressive offerings. We also offer compelling dual degree programs that span a variety of disciplines, including business, education, social work, art history, geographic information science, international studies, public policy, engineering and law.

Admission

The University of Denver seeks students who have challenged themselves academically and who have demonstrated success in English, math, social studies, science and foreign language. In selecting the incoming class, Undergraduate Admission considers all available information including evidence of academic achievement, contributions to school and community, extracurricular activities and leadership.

The University of Denver uses both the Common Application and the DU Pioneer Application. We encourage you to apply online at www.du.edu/admission.

Undergraduate Admission invites students to learn more about the DU experience through our many visit programs. During a campus visit, you will learn about our admission process, tour our facilities, speak with current students and investigate the different programs of study, extracurricular activities and social offerings available to students.

To register for a campus visit program, go to www.du.edu/visit or call Undergraduate Admission at 303-871-7711.

Admission Standards

When reviewing an application, our admission committee considers the following:

academic achievement

grade point average

standardized test scores

DU’s whole-person assessment, essay and letters of recommendation

Academic Achievement

The typical accepted high school student has taken a strong, competitive class schedule, which may include college preparatory, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The average high school GPA of students accepted for fall 2018 was 3.73. The middle 50 percent ranged from 3.52–4.0.

Standardized Tests

Although previous academic performance is the most important factor in our admission process, we also consider scores earned on the SAT or ACT exams. Applicants are required to submit the official results of their SAT or ACT. If you choose to submit test scores from more than one testing date, we will mix and match your results to create a superscore. The writing components for both the SAT and ACT will be accepted for review but will not be used for admission decisions.

The middle 50 percent test scores of students accepted for fall 2018 were the following:

Standardized Tests

test

score

score

SAT

1190-1360

average was 1274

ACT

26-31

average was 28

Whole-Person Assessment

DU students assume responsibilities outside the classroom; they are leaders, volunteers, artists, musicians, athletes, actors and people who contribute to their community as a whole. Our admission committee seeks well-rounded students who have contributed to their high school and local communities and who will contribute to the DU community as well.

Programs with Additional Admission Requirements

Daniels College of Business degree programs, Lamont School of Music degree programs and the bachelor of fine arts in the School of Art and Art History have requirements for admission beyond the criteria listed above.

Daniels College of Business

Applicants who wish to pursue an undergraduate business major at Daniels must first apply to, and be accepted by, the University of Denver. The application to the university serves as the Daniels College of Business application, for students who indicate business as the intended major on the application to DU. Qualified students will be considered for direct admission to Daniels when accepted to the University of Denver. Applicants not directly admitted through the DU application process apply to Daniels via the secondary admission process, as an enrolled student, upon successful completion of pre-requisite coursework.

The Daniels secondary admission process supports academic quality, small and engaged classes, and strong student-faculty connections. Most students apply in their second year by submitting an application, resume and cover letter. Application cycles are offered fall, winter, and spring quarters. A holistic assessment of each applicant is conducted by evaluating students’ academic performance and career readiness components. Involvement within the Daniels College of Business is important as it shows a genuine interest in a business major, knowledge of expectations within the major, and wanting to contribute to the community in a meaningful way. Students working through secondary admission take the same preliminary business courses as directly admitted students.

There are three possible admission routes into Daniels:

Direct admission upon application to the University of Denver, based on indication of business interest on application and eligibility for university merit scholarships. Transfer students are evaluated on GPA, transfer coursework, and work experience.

Fast track admission upon completing two quarters as a full-time student at DU with a 3.5 cumulative GPA or higher, including successful completion of MATH 1200 or 1951.

Secondary admission upon completion of the following: BUS 1000 Gateway to Business,BUS 1099 Daniels Professional Development Program Part I, ECON 1020 Introduction to Micro- and Macroeconomics I: History and Theories, FSEM 1111 First Year Seminar, INFO 1010 Analytics I: Data Management and AnalysisINFO 1020 Analytics II: Business Statistics and Analysis, MATH 1200 Calculus for Business and Social Sciences/MATH 1951 Calculus I, WRIT 1122 Rhetoric and Academic Writing, WRIT 1133 Writing and Research, and Microsoft Certification (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). This sample quarter-by-quarter course plan outlines a recommended path for completing the courses required to apply for secondary admission. During fall, winter, and spring application cycles students submit their resume and cover letter for consideration. A 2.5 minimum cumulative GPA is required to apply. Completion of these requirements does not guarantee admission.

Lamont School of Music

In addition to being accepted for study by the University, students desiring admission to the Lamont School of Music must audition with the appropriate music faculty and complete a Lamont application. Audition requirements differ by area. Requirements can be reviewed at www.du.edu/lamont. An in-person audition is preferable; however, students may submit a high quality video recording for review.

School of Art and Art History

If admitted to the University and SAAH, all students will be entered into the BA program in their area of interest. Students interested in pursuing a BFA in Studio Art apply under the guidance of a faculty member once enrolled in SAAH. Contact the School of Art and Art History for details.

Early Experience Applicants

After completing their sophomore or junior year in high school, students may enroll for limited study at the University, provided they meet admission requirements and are recommended by a high school counselor. Courses completed can be applied toward a University of Denver degree if the student is admitted as a degree candidate.

First-Year Domestic Student Application Options

Application and Decision Dates

For first-year domestic students, DU offers four application programs for the fall quarter: Early Action, Early Decision I, Early Decision II and Regular Decision.

Early Action

Early Action is a nonbinding program through which students obtain an early admission decision.

Apply by November 1

Decision letter: mid-December

Deposit by May 1

Early Decision I

Early Decision I is a binding program through which students obtain an early admission decision and commit to enrolling at the University of Denver if admitted.

Apply by November 1

Decision letter: early December

Deposit by late December

Early Decision II

Early Decision II is a binding program through which students obtain an early admission decision and commit to enrolling at the University of Denver if admitted.

Apply by January 15

Decision letter: late February

Deposit by early March

Regular Decision

Regular Decision is the final admission deadline for consideration for the fall quarter.

Apply by January 15

Decision letter: mid-March

Deposit by May 1

Late Action Applications

First-year applications postmarked after January 15 will be considered on a case-by-case, space-available basis.

International Students

The University of Denver currently enrolls nearly 1200 international students from 88 countries. Non-U.S. citizens applying for undergraduate admission may complete the Common Application at https://www.commonapp.org or the Pioneer Application at https://denveradmission.du.edu/web. U.S. permanent residents and those with refugee or asylum status applying for undergraduate admission should do so directly through Undergraduate Admission.

Deadlines for International Students

International first-year applicants will be considered for fall (September) admission only. Applications must be submitted by November 1st for Early Decision I or Early Action consideration or January 15th for Early Decision II or Regular Decision consideration.

The recommended application deadlines for transfer students are as follows:

Calendar

Date

Day of the Week

Description

Fall quarter

(September)

July 1

Winter quarter

(January)

October 15

Spring quarter

(March)

December 15 (limited space)

Summer quarter

(June)

March 15 (limited space)

All undergraduate international applicants will be automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. Applicants will be notified of their scholarship award in their admission letter.

Admission Standards for International Students

In addition to meeting all University of Denver admission requirements, non-native speakers of English must present proof of English proficiency. The University requires a minimum score of 80 iBT (Internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with at least 20 on all subscores or a score of 6.5 with no band scores below 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a minimum grade of C on the Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE). For more information regarding English Proficiency, please visit: www.du.edu/apply/admission/apply/international/proficiency.html.

As part of the Common Curriculum at DU, most students must complete a foreign language requirement. Based on their language assessment scores, students must complete 4, 8, or 12 language credits in order to fulfill the requirement. If you are a non-native speaker of English, regardless of TOEFL, IELTS, or CAE test scores, you will be required to take the English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA). The results of the assessment will determine your placement into English language credit courses in the LAUNCH Curriculum for which you will receive credit toward your degree and fulfill the language requirement. The LAUNCH courses are designed to help students be more successful in their academic programs by improving their proficiency in English, learning about being part of an American institution of higher education, and learning more about U.S. culture.

Exemptions: Students are generally exempt from the English proficiency test requirement if they have any of the following:

secondary/high school diploma from a school where the language of instruction is English

SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) score of 600 or higher

ACT English subscore of 22 or higher

30 semester credits of coursework from a university or college where English is the sole language of instruction and examination or completion of the first-year English I and II requirements in a U.S. college or university

GCSE/IGCSE grade of A, B or C on the English Examination

HKDSE level of 5 on the English Language Core Subject examination

Successful completion of the appropriate level of intensive English at the University of Denver's English Language Center

Academically admissible applicants who do not meet the University of Denver's English proficiency requirements may be offered English Conditional Admission (ECA). ECA students are accepted with the condition that they study at the University's English Language Center full-time until they have successfully completed the program. Students who are English Conditionally Admitted to the University and fulfill their English proficiency requirements through the English Language Center are required to take 12 credits in the LAUNCH curriculum.

Contact the English Language Center by mail: 1958 S. Josephine St., Denver, CO 80208-9300; telephone: 303-871-3075; fax: 303-871-6622; or email: elc@du.edu. Completion of an intensive English program other than that offered by the University of Denver’s English Language Center does not satisfy this requirement. Note that admission to the English Language Center does not automatically grant admission to University of Denver degree programs.

For more information regarding admission for international students, contact the University of Denver Office of International Student Admission by mail: 114 University Hall, 2197 S. University Blvd., Denver, CO 80208-9401; telephone: 303-871-2790; fax: 303-871-3522; email: INTLADM@du.edu; or web: http://www.du.edu/apply/admission/apply/international/.

Transfer Students

Each year, the University of Denver welcomes more than 200 transfer students to our community. Qualified applicants are admitted on a rolling basis, provided space is available. An application is not considered complete until official transcripts have been received.

Deadlines for Transfer Applicants

Application and all supporting materials should be completed and received no later than the following dates:

Calendar

Date

Day of the Week

Description

Fall Quarter

May 15 (priority deadline); July 1 (final deadline)

Winter Quarter

October 15

Spring Quarter

February 1 (limited space)

Summer Quarter

May 1

Admission Standards for Transfer Students

To be considered for admission, students transferring to DU from another regionally accredited institution must have a competitive grade point average in all college coursework. The admission committee looks for

grades that reflect solid work at the college level—generally “B” grades or better, and

course work that demonstrates serious intentions.

In addition, we consider any special situations or circumstances that may have influenced your academic performance in college. You must submit official transcripts from each college or university you have attended. If you have not successfully completed 30 college-level semester hours (45 quarter hours), you must also submit your high school transcript and test scores. If you are unsure about your candidacy to the University of Denver, please call Undergraduate Admission at 303-871-2036.